Diane von Furstenberg – March 19, 2009 (Upscale embedded with SynthID)

The Gear

Lens: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 at 180mm

Camera: Nikon D700

Settings: 1/100s, f/2.8, ISO 2000

Lighting: Softbox set up at the panel table

Technique: First full-frame sensor shoot, soft directional light for an intimate press conference portrait

The Goal

Capture an icon of fashion… and figure out how to photograph everyone at the table without making anyone feel singled out.

The Vision

This was my first time *really* shooting with a full-frame sensor… the Nikon D700. It was a massive step up in both the look and quality of low-light capability. Shooting at ISO 2000 was absolutely no problem. The D300 could handle high ISO in a pinch, but the D700 made it feel effortless.

I also upgraded from the 80-200mm f/2.8 to the newer 70-200mm f/2.8… thanks to my credit card. Serious upgrades, serious debt. Worth it.

Around this time I’d also started following Ryan Brenizer’s work closely… his blog, his approach, his willingness to write about the craft. It pushed me to start writing about these portraits in random blog posts, though I wouldn’t formally create the Epic Portrait Series until 2011.

The Story

Diane von Furstenberg was at the National Press Club for a Vital Voices Global Partnership event. She wasn’t there for herself… she was there to support the organization and the women leaders they champion.

I set up a softbox at the panel table and took portraits of each person speaking, even though Diane was my main priority. This is something I learned early: when celebrities are at an event on behalf of an organization, the organization has its own leaders who made the entire thing happen. Even if I don’t think I’ll use their portraits for anything significant… even if they’re not the famous person… I still go out of my way to photograph them first so the celebrity doesn’t feel self-conscious or like they’re stealing the spotlight from what they’re actually there to promote.

It’s a small thing, but it matters. It sets a tone. It makes the whole room relax.

There was another photographer at the Press Club who started shooting a lot of these events alongside me around this time. He would set up really elaborate, big lights to create a painterly look… something I found a little awkward. But it did push me to start bringing more off-camera flash with modifiers to events, ready to whip out whenever I wanted to grab a tight, intimate portrait.

The Lesson

When you’re photographing celebrities at charity events or organizational press conferences, remember: they’re not necessarily meant to be the center of attention. They’re there to support something bigger. Photograph everyone at the table. Make everyone feel seen. The celebrity will notice, and they’ll be more comfortable because of it.

And if you can swing a full-frame sensor upgrade… do it. The D700 changed everything for me. ISO 2000 stopped being a compromise and started being a tool.